A lovely little collection of stories. Ruzvidzo sets aside the grand social and political themes common in certain African writing. Instead, he captures those understated moments of everyday life. The stories are compelling in their warmth and humor. Even where they explore tragic moments, the humor, drama, and suspense are there to lighten the impact on the reader. Keeps his writing grounded in a way that readers will find relatable.
Stories that are bursting from the pages with life and wit, set alight by Ruzvidzo's colourful and heartfelt writing. Ruzvidzo does well to absorb the reader into the worlds he has created - his stories are rooted in the contemporary culture, politics, and landscapes of the nation.
Ruzvidzo writes on the cutting edge-- his characters pawns or kings, depending on the readers' perception. In "The Order", set in 2023, Ruzvidzo's story of a military takeover of the country reveals some interesting parallels to Zimbabwe's own recent history and new president. His characters live through bullying, love, even deception by a parent, packing a seven-story punch with a bonus ending poem.